Colorado
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According to the 2020 Colorado Aviation Economic Impact Study, the annual business revenue from airports in Colorado is $48.6 billion.
Aviation by the Numbers
According to the Colorado Aeronautics Division, Colorado is home to 70 public-use general aviation airports. According to FAA data, Colorado airports serve 21,999 pilots and 6,924 registered aircraft. The 2020 Colorado Aviation Economic Impact Study estimated that one million visitors arrive to Colorado on general aviation aircraft each year.
Number of Jobs
According to the same study, airports in Colorado sustain more than 345,000 jobs and a payroll of $16.2 billion.
Economic Impact
The 2020 Colorado Aviation Economic Impact Study calculated the annual business revenue from airports in Colorado at $48.6 billion.
According to the FAA, Colorado is home to 75 repair stations, 14 FAA-approved pilot schools, 4,405 flight instructors and 6,669 student pilots. In addition, according to the AC-U-KWIK database, there are 66 fixed-base operators in the state. According to Helicopter Association International, there are 210 heliports in Colorado.
According to the University Aviation Association and the National Center for Education Statistics, flight departments in Colorado include Colorado Northwestern Community College in Rangely, Colorado Mesa University in Grand Junction, Trinidad State College in Trinidad, Metropolitan State University of Denver, and Aims Community College in Greeley.
The Rocky Mountain Metropolitan Airport has three runways, the longest being 9,000 feet. The 2020 Colorado Aviation Economic Impact Study showed that the airport supports 3,312 jobs and over $730 million in business revenue. The airport regularly participates in Angel Flight West operations. During the COVID-19 pandemic, these missions delivered necessary personal protective equipment (PPE), supplies, and equipment for free to rural hospitals. Special Olympics Colorado will also utilize Rocky Mountain Metropolitan Airport for their transportation needs.
Commissioner Bill Holen of Arapahoe County, CO, and National Association of Counties (NACO) Transportation Steering Subcommittee Vice Chair
"In my county alone, Gevo, Bye Aerospace and other companies are developing sustainable fuel and technologies, which will help to support this important industry and network of airports. For example, general aviation has been critical in supporting the delivery of medical care and supplies, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic.
In Colorado, groups like the Colorado Hospital Association, Angel Flight West and many local operators have all been part of an effort to deliver PPE and medical care to patients and communities throughout the state."
David Ulane, A.A.E., Director - Aeronautics Division, Colorado Department of Transportation
"Colorado is home to the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), which is partnering with stakeholders from across the aviation ecosystem to identify critical needs that will accelerate the transition to sustainable aviation. Our state is also home to Centennial Airport, one of the busiest general aviation airports in the U.S., which has an estimated business revenue of $2.1 billion per year. Airports in the state sustain more than 345,000 jobs and an annual business revenue of $48.6 billion. Investments in these airports and areas such as advanced air mobility and sustainability will increase high skill jobs and ensure future growth and competitiveness for our state and nation."
